Marilene McCandless

A memorial Mass to celebrate the life of Marilene McCandless, 83, of Davenport, will be held at 11am on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport.  Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral

Marilene McCandless passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Genesis East, Davenport.

Marilene Becchetti was born April 2, 1939, in Perugia, Italy, the daughter of Camillo and Emma Becchetti. While touring an American Naval Ship in Naples she met a marine, Michael Julio Hernandez.  Michael and Marilene were united in marriage in August of 1960 and later she immigrated to the United States. In October of 1966 she was remarried to James Howard McCandless.

She and her current partner of 35 years, Rex Fillman, were together until her death. They enjoyed playing cards, chess, doing crosswords together, and traveling to Italy each year.

Marilene earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the former St. Ambrose College in 1975.  She was an elected member of Alpha Chi.  For the past thirty years she had worked with Italian filmmakers Antonio and Pupi Avati, running US operations for Duea film out of the Leon Bismark Biederbecke home. In addition, she was an avid translator for over twenty years.

She mastered many languages, playing piano, painting with all mediums, and writing poetry. Marilene loved growing and maintaining houseplants, but also was an avid seamstress and loved crochet and knitting. Her skills were not limited to needles and brushes, but rather her imagination.

She will be remembered for her passion for learning and incredible creativity.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter Kathryn McCandless of Davenport; grandson Ian McCandless of Ames, IA; her partner in life Rex Fillman of Davenport.

She was preceded in death by her son James Howard McCandless Jr. (from her second Husband) granddaughter Ashley McCandless (daughter of James H. McCandless Jr) a brother, Sergio Becchetti and parents Camillo and Emma Becchetti.  May they rest in peace.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com.